Giumarra of Nogales in Nogales, AZ, has started its winter season and is now shipping cantaloupes, honeydew melons and both seeded and seedless watermelons from Mexico. The division is also shipping English cucumbers, greenhouse cucumbers and green bell peppers.

The crops are grown by the Salazar family of Hermosillo in the state of Sonora, Mexico, and the Llano family of Guaymas, also in the state of Sonora. Giumarra of Nogales has been working with the Salazar family for 16 years and the Llano family for seven years.

After a recent trip to visit both the Salazar and Llano farms, Division Sales Manager Nick Rendon noted that ample supplies and excellent quality will mark the season.

"The crops are looking outstanding," he said in a Nov. 4 press release. "The initial color and Brix of our melons are excellent, and we expect to maintain this quality throughout the rest of the season."

The Summer Sweet melons are packed and shipped under the "Nature's Partner" label, and the melon has a higher Brix than a traditional cantaloupe.

"The sizing of the Summer Sweet melons this season is good," Mr. Rendon added in the release. "The higher pressure of this melon makes it better for processing. When it reaches the retail level, it has a longer shelf life."

All product from Giumarra Nogales can be distributed to anywhere in the United States from its shipping facility in Nogales and its Border Cold Storage facility in McAllen, TX.